New ABSA client: ABSA is keeping my Salary hostage while my kids are starving

As a first time Absa client, I find the communication between client and the bank disgusting. I have been with another bank for 20 yrs and felt it was time I needed to change.

Went onto the Absa bank website to register for a premier one card. Uploaded my documents, then got an sms that I will be contacted shortly. Two days passed and no contact from the bank. I took it upon myself to call the Absa call center (The first of over 10 calls I would make over the next three weeks). I was then told by the call center the following: 1.) The can see my application. 2.) Absa"s online document upload does not work, (However, their system thanked me for loading the documents).

Eventually 1 bright spark at the call centre gave an email address to email my documents to, which I did and got an sms to say my documents has been received and again that I will get a call from a Absa consultant. No calls from Absa for the entire 2nd week.

By the end of the 2nd week, I called Absa and asked if my application has been received and accepted. I was told it has been received, but they are still working on my application. By the 3rd week I demanded that I can an answer ASAP. It took them another 3 days before I got two emails in a matter of minutes. The first one to tell me that my application has been cancelled and the second one to tell me that my application has been accepted. Again, I called to find out what was going on and I was not told I can go to any Absa branch and get my card.

Now things get even worse. I get my card and do the necessary signature, fingerprints and pick my pin. Two days later my salary gets paid into my new Absa account. I call the premier call line to find out if my salary is available and they confirmed it was. I then go to the shop to buy a few things, use my card and it gets declined twice.

The next day, I visit the Absa branch at the Grove mall in Pretoria and the Service consultant unlock my card and tells me to check if I can use my card at the ATM inside the bank. When I use the ATM, I get a message that my account is missing FICA documents (Keeping in mind that I gave them all the documents for FICA 2 weeks before and I have an sms to proof that they have received it. I was then send to another consultant in the bank that can do the FICA verification for me.

I give him all the documents, just for him to tell me that it's going to take up to 48 hours and then my account will be ready to use. And there is no way of me getting any money from my account until this is done (Keep in mind this is my salary and I have kids to feed, rent to pay, school fees and etc.).

It has been 3 days and still no word from Absa. They are keeping my salary hostage at this point for 5 days and now I have to lend money from family members as Absa still has my salary and I have no way of getting my money out of my account. No make matter worse in these past 2 weeks, not once has Absa called me. I have done all the calling.

To everyone thinking of moving to Absa because your current bank is bad, think again...